Abstract: A device arranges an edge protector on a package. The device includes a drive wheel for moving the device along a guiding rail from a point of departure to the package and from the package to the point of departure. A motor is carried by the device and drives the drive wheel. A clamp mount includes a movable clamping jaw and a counter bearing for taking up the edge protector in an open position of the clamping jaw and to hold it in a closed position of the clamping jaw. The motor drives the drive wheel and acts on a power transmission assembly to induce opening and closing of the clamping jaw. A device for strapping packages having the edge protector applicator includes a frame carrying a press plate above a vertically movable packing table. The press plate has running rails on which the edge protector applicator is movably mounted. The applicator device is mounted below the press plate.

Abstract: A method for converting a wrapping machine into a transport condition, said wrapping machine comprising a wrapping machine frame, as well as a circular guide mounted on the frame, whereby, in order to convert the wrapping machine into a transport condition, the circular guide mounted on the wrapping machine frame is tilted with respect to the wrapping machine frame. The invention relates also to such a wrapping machine.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a mobile strapping device for wrapping material to be packed with a strap, the device comprising: a tensioning unit for applying a strap tension to a loop of a strap, a welding unit for producing a welded connection on two superimposed regions of the strap loop, a housing with a front housing region formed as a cover for the tensioning unit and a rear housing region for receiving a rechargeable energy store, and a handle arranged between the front and the rear housing regions for holding the strapping device. The device also includes a display device arranged on the rear housing region and configured to display operating information of the strapping device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pneumatic inflator for automatically inflating inflatable articles, such as dunnage bags, to a desired pressure. Generally, once activated, the pneumatic inflator of the present disclosure inflates an inflatable article via a compressed air source until the air pressure inside the inflatable article reaches an operator-selected desired pressure. Thereafter, the pneumatic inflator automatically stops inflating the inflatable article. In various embodiments, the pneumatic inflator also includes a manual shut-off that, when activated while the pneumatic inflator is inflating the inflatable article, causes the pneumatic inflator to stop inflating the inflatable article. The pneumatic inflator of the present disclosure thus enables automatic inflation of inflatable articles to particular, operated-selected desired pressures with limited operator input.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mobile strapping device for strapping packaged products using a loop of wrapping strap. The strapping device includes a tensioning device for applying tension to the strap and a connecting device for connecting two overlapping portions of the strap. The tensioning device includes a rotatable tensioning wheel and a tensioning plate. The tensioning wheel is supported by a rocker that is pivotable to change a distance separating the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate. The mobile strapping device includes a motor that is operably connectable to the rocker or the tensioning wheel such that the motor causes pivoting of the rocker or rotation of the tensioning wheel when operating in a first direction of rotation. In various embodiments, gearing, including a plurality of planetary gear sets, is used to operatively connect the motor to the rocker and the tensioning wheel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigeration trailer air distribution chute. The chute includes a first air director attachable to a ceiling of a refrigeration trailer spanning a refrigeration unit and a side wall of the trailer, and a second air director attachable to and extending along the ceiling proximate the side wall to the rear of the trailer. The first air director is attachable to the ceiling along two lines of attachment, causing the first air director to have a cross section of a first shape regardless of whether the chute is in an unexpanded or an expanded state. The second air director is attachable to the ceiling along one line of attachment, causing the second air director to have a cross section of a second shape when the chute is in the unexpanded state and a third shape when the chute is in the expanded state.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mobile strapping device for strapping packaged products using a loop of wrapping strap. The strapping device includes a tensioning device for applying tension to the strap and a connecting device for connecting two overlapping portions of the strap. The tensioning device includes a rotatable tensioning wheel and a tensioning plate. The tensioning wheel is supported by a rocker that is pivotable to change a distance separating the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate. The mobile strapping device includes a motor that is operably connectable to the rocker or the tensioning wheel such that the motor causes pivoting of the rocker or rotation of the tensioning wheel when operating in a first direction of rotation. In various embodiments, gearing, including a plurality of planetary gear sets, is used to operatively connect the motor to the rocker and the tensioning wheel.

Abstract: A method and a system for setting corner protectors on a load. In operation of one embodiment, an actuator retrieves a two corner protectors from a corner protector storage and provides the corner protectors to a corner protector transferring and setting system. The corner protector transferring and setting system transfers the corner protectors to a side of the load furthest from the actuator and sets the corner protectors against the two adjacent vertically extending corners of that side of the load. The actuator retrieves another two corner protectors from the corner protector storage and sets the two corner protectors against the two vertically extending corners of a side of the load closest to the actuator. A wrapping machine then wraps a film around the corner protectors and the load, thereby securing the corner protectors in place.

Abstract: A storage system includes a rack with a plurality of layers, each layer including an aisle and a plurality of rows extending from the aisle defining storage locations for items. A shuttle usable with the rack includes a first cart movable along the aisle and a second cart configured to be carriable by the first cart and to be movable along a row. The second cart is configured to carry an item between the first cart and the storage locations. A conveyor is located on one of the first or second carts to move the item onto or off the first cart. Related methods of storing and/or retrieving items from a rack are also disclosed. A rack system is disclosed and is readily assembled without welding, transferring loading so that the weight of the rack and any item stored therein is supported by the upright elements via support brackets.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device and method for reefing a portion of tubular film, the reefing device having at least one reefing finger and at least one drive unit. The drive unit has advancing means, which, for reefing the portion of tubular film, is brought into operative connection with the reefing finger at least at the height of a point of engagement, while enclosing the portion of tubular film, and moves the portion of tubular film in relation to the reefing finger. The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are distinguished in particular in that the position of the at least one point of engagement can be changed along the reefing finger as reefing progresses or the position of the point of engagement on the reefing finger is changed.

Abstract: A modular strapping machine feeds steel strapping material around a load, tensions the strapping material and welds the strapping material to itself in an end-to-end weld. The modular strapping machine includes a frame, a feed head removably mounted to the frame, a tension head removably mounted to the frame, a sealing head removably mounted to the frame and a strap chute. A strap straightener is mounted between the tension head and the sealing head. A leading end of the steel strapping material is conveyed from the feed head, through the tension head and the sealing head, through the strap chute and back to the sealing head. The sealing head is configured to grip the leading end, grip and sever a trailing end of the strapping material to form a loop end and weld the leading end to the loop end in an end-to-end weld.

Abstract: Methods of storage and/or retrieval of items from storage racks using carts include electronically determining a size of an item and determining a storage position in a row for the item based on the determined size. The size can be determined by reading indicia on the item and consulting a database to determine a size of the item based on the read indicia. Other methods include electronically determining a characteristic of an item and determining a load movement limit protocol for the item based on the determined characteristic. The protocol may limit velocity or acceleration of movement of the item.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressible material includes compressing the bale of compressible material to form a compressed bale having a plurality of grooves in at least one side thereof. The grooves are recessed from an outer surface of the compressed bale. The compressed bale is transferred to a flexible container. The container conforms to a shape of the compressed bale such that at least some portions of the flexible container take the shape of the grooves to define container portions recessed from the outer surface of the compressed bale. A containerized bale made by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressible material without straps or wires includes compressing a quantity of compressible material into a bale and introducing the bale of compressed material into a container in the compressed state. The container can be sealed following receipt of the bale. A baler can be used with a press for compressing the material, and a bagging station can facilitate transfer of the bale to the container without straps or wires securing the bale following compression.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressed material without straps or wires in a bag the bale having recessed regions therein, includes receiving the bale of compressed material in a conveyor having a mobile portion and a load carriage. The bag has reinforced regions. The load carriage has multiple tines for supporting the bale of compressed material. The tines engage the bale at at least some of the recessed regions. The bale is transferred into a bagger configured to receive the bale and move the bale from an entrance to a discharge and bagging mandrel. The bale is introduced into the bag such that at least some of the reinforced regions of the bag correspond to the recessed regions of the bale. A reinforced bag for containing a bale of compressed material without straps or wires is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigeration trailer air distribution chute. The chute includes a first air director attachable to a ceiling of a refrigeration trailer spanning a refrigeration unit and a side wall of the trailer, and a second air director attachable to and extending along the ceiling proximate the side wall to the rear of the trailer. The first air director is attachable to the ceiling along two lines of attachment, causing the first air director to have a cross section of a first shape regardless of whether the chute is in an unexpanded or an expanded state. The second air director is attachable to the ceiling along one line of attachment, causing the second air director to have a cross section of a second shape when the chute is in the unexpanded state and a third shape when the chute is in the expanded state.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism assembly for use with a tape cartridge includes a support arm having first and second opposing ends and adapted to be coupled to the tape cartridge. The cutting mechanism assembly also includes a mount for a biasing element. The mount is coupled to the support arm and the biasing element is configured to couple the mount to the tape cartridge. Further, the cutting mechanism assembly includes a support plate for a mechanism for reducing a biasing force from the biasing element. The support plate is coupled to the support arm and the mechanism is configured to couple the support plate to the tape cartridge.

Abstract: A dispenser is used for dispensing flexible material from a coil. The dispenser includes a frame, a coil carriage mounted to the frame and a brake/payout assembly mounted to the frame. The frame defines an axis of rotation about which the coil carriage rotates. The coil is securable within the coil carriage for rotation with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly is operably mounted to the frame and is moveable toward and away from the coil carriage. The brake/payout assembly is biased toward the coil carriage for engagement with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly engages the coil carriage to slow rotation of the carriage and includes a nip region through which the flexible material traverses during payout.

Abstract: A powered cutter for strap includes a housing, a power supply mounted to the housing, a motor positioned at least in part in the housing and a drive train operably connected to the motor. A cutting head includes a plunger, a cutting blade operably mounted to the plunger, a hold-down biasedly mounted to the plunger, a foot and a shear edge. The drive train is operably connected to the plunger. The plunger moves toward the foot to move the hold-down into contact with the strap, securing the strap against the foot, and as the hold-down secures the strap, the cutting blade contacts and cuts the strap at the shear edge.

Abstract: In the case of a strapping apparatus for strapping articles with a strapping band, having a base plate which is provided for arranging on an article, having a tensioning device with which a band tension can be applied to the strapping band, the tensioning device being provided for this purpose with an actuable tensioning tool which can be brought into and out of contact with the band, having a sealing device, in particular a friction-welding device with which, by contact with the band, two band layers can be permanently connected to each other by forming a seal between the two band layers, being provided with a plurality of actuating elements with which functions of the strapping unit can be set and/or initiated upon actuation of one or more the actuating elements, the functional reliability of the strapping apparatus is intended to be improved and in particular the possibility of faulty conditions reduced.